Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023, at Bible Baptist Church in Greenwood for Sgt. Richard Alan Blackwell Sr., 56, of Carrollton, who died on Saturday, Jan. 14, in Jackson. A private family burial will follow in McBride Family Cemetery in Greenwood. The Rev. Glenn Waller will officiate. Visitation will be held from noon until service time on Tuesday, Jan. 17, at the church.
Sgt. Blackwell was born on June 30, 1966, in Greenwood. He was a United States Army veteran, obtaining the rank of Sergeant, serving in Desert Storm. He was team leader of Section A 1st Platoon Alpha Company 1/5 Cav 1st Calvary Division. During his service, he received many accolades, most notably, the Southwest Asia Service Medal with two Bronze Stars. He worked earlier in life as an auto parts salesman, but most recently, he was the co-owner/operator of Vaiden Farm Supply in Vaiden. He loved to travel, ride his motorcycle, loved his family and was crazy about his grandchildren. He was a member of Bible Baptist Church in Greenwood.
His mother, Judy Ann Dallas McBride, and two fellow squad members, who were killed in action during their service together, A. Bradley Cooper and Ronald Randazzo, preceded Sgt. Blackwell in death.
Survivors include, his sons, Richard Alan “Little Ritchie” Blackwell Jr. (Kimberly) of Brandon and James “Bird” Blackwell (Jennifer) of Winona; his loving fiancé, Becky Wammack; father, Jimmy McBride of Greenwood; sisters, Beth Montgomery (Patrick) of Carrollton, Donna Pearson (Greg) of Winona and Brooke Ott (Jeffery) of Hernando; brother, Jason McBride (Bethany) of Horn Lake; seven grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers will be Will Taylor, Chris Blaylock, Austin Montgomery, Patrick Montgomery, Blake Herring and Cody McCrory. Honorary pallbearers will be Jim Hargrove, Nathan Blunt, Jay Wilson, Don Corbin, William Buckley, Brandon Ott, Kevin Ott, Terry Wayne Campbell and posthumously, A. Bradley Cooper and Ronald Randazzo.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to John 3:16 Ministries, 75 Holmes Rd., Charlotte, AR 72552 or to the Tunnels to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Blvd, Staten Island, NY 10306.
Online condolences can be expressed to the family at www.ofhwinona.com
Oliver Funeral Home of Winona is in charge of arrangements.
